Old age brings in a lot of aches, pains, and ailments with itself. Seniors find it difficult to bend down to sit on the toilet. Most of the time it is due to bad hips, knees, or pain in the lower back.
A raised toilet seat can increase the seat height so you don’t have to bend too much. It attaches to the current toilet seat via a locking mechanism. As there are a lot of raised toilet seat options available in the market, how do you know which one to buy?
We have put together a list of the five best toilet seat risers with arms and reviewed them for you. Read on to know about them.
How was this List Prepared?
Our research team put in several hours on the internet surfing through blogs and articles for the best toilet seats for the elderly. We even connected with a few renowned orthopedic surgeons in the country and asked about the seats they usually recommend their patients.
Then, we scrolled through the customer reviews on websites like Amazon and Reddit to understand the experience of the previous buyers.
What to Look for?
When you plan on setting up a toilet seat, make sure it is of good quality with sturdy handles. It should provide you with adequate support while pooping. Buy a seat that is easy to install and has an anti-slip surface. A light-weight seat will help you move the seat without extra help.
Then decide on a budget beforehand to avoid overspending. You can refer to the buying guide at the end of the article for more information.
Best Raised Toilet Seat with Handles
#1. Vive Raised Toilet Seat(Best in the High-End Category)
First on our list is this easy to install toilet seat by Vive. It can be attached to any standard toilet and adds an extra 5” to the height. It has padded handles on the side, which gives the required support to the elderly. The handles are removable with soft foam padding. This ensures a non-slip grip while you are rising from the seat.
The seat can handle a weight of up to 250 lbs. It is prepared using durable material and will last long. It can be easily installed in the toilets with no extra tools. You can secure the seat using the adjustable tightening knob and rear wings. You don’t even have to remove the existing seat for it.
It is a portable toilet seat which is also easy to clean. Also, it has a contoured seat design for the hips to fit easily. It is an excellent choice for people just recovering from surgery or seniors with bad hips, knees, or even back.
Experience
A customer based in New Jersey bought this toilet seat for her father after his major knee surgery. She shares her experience: “My dad couldn’t use our usual toilet seat without extra support. He had to hold on to the wall every time, and that’s when I decided to get Vive raised toilet seat for him. He feels much more comfortable now and doesn’t need help to use the toilet”.
Pros
- Adds extra 5″ to the toilet height
- Can bear 250 lbs of weight
- Has padded and removable handles
- Easy to install
- Easy to clean
- Portable
Cons
- Installation instructions can be confusing
- The seat frame below needs to be flat to place the riser
Verdict
This is a functional toilet seat for seniors who cannot bend too low while using the toilet. The customers are advised to check their standard toilet rim to understand if this seat will fit it. It works well on elongated toilet seats as well.
#2. Vive Elongated Toilet Seat Riser(Best Overall)
This is an elongated toilet seat riser that measures 13 inches from the back of the bowl to the front. It adds about 3.5 inches to the elongated toilet seat. You can easily sit on the seat without bending too much.
It also has padded handles with a soft grip for the user. The handles are 22’’ apart which gives the user enough space to bend and sit. The handles are made of corrosion-resistant aluminum that is also easy to clean. You can even remove the handles when they are not required.
The seat is built using durable plastic and is split-resistant. It can handle the weight of up to 300 lbs. It doesn’t require any tools for installation. You can easily secure the screws and washers in place. It comes with an interior lip on the bottom to securely attach it to the toilet seat. This ensures that the seat doesn’t slip when you sit on it.
Experience
A 70-year-old customer who uses a walker for mobility ordered this toilet seat a few months back. She says the seat has the right amount of opening and fits on to her elongated toilet. This product made her painful mornings easier.
Pros
- Adds 3.5’’ to the toilet height
- Made of durable plastic
- Easy to install
- Available for both elongated and standard seats
- Can handle 300 lbs of weight
Cons
- The seat needs to be removed for cleaning
- May not work for short-heightened individuals
Verdict
An ideal choice for elongated toilets, this seat riser is a must-have for the seniors and individuals who have undergone hip-replacement surgery. It is a pretty good functional seat, but cleaning it can be a bit difficult.
#3. Essential Medical Supply Elevated Toilet Seat Risers with Arms(Best Budget Buy)
This is a budget product option that can be easily installed. It is an elongated bowl that is 19.5 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 3.5 inches tall. It adds the extra 5’’ to the toilet seat. The manufacturer recommends the customers to measure their existing toilet seat before buying this.
The padded handles allow you to get on and off of the commode. It makes it safe to use the seat and avoids any accidents. The arms can be removed if you don’t need them. You can attach the riser to your standard toilet with a simple screwdriver. It will take about 20 minutes and is quite feasible.
The seat can handle the weight of up to 300 lbs. This high toilet seat for elderly people saves them a lot of pain. If you wish to buy it for a senior relative, make sure you help them install it.
Experience
The majority of customers bought this seat after surgery or hip replacement. Others bought it for their elderly parents and it worked well for everyone. However, a few customers complained about the poor quality of the hardware included in the package.
Pros
- Adds 5’’ extra to the toilet height
- Has removable padded handles
- Can bear up to 300 lbs of weight
- Easy to install
Cons
- Difficult to clean
- Poor quality hardware
Verdict
If you are on a restricted budget but need a sturdy seat, this elongated toilet seat riser is the right product for you. It has all the necessary features and can be easily secured to your existing toilet seat.
#4. Vaunn Medical Elevated Raised Toilet Seat(Easy to Fit Toilet Riser with Locking Mechanism)
Next on our list is this wide and comfortable toilet seat by Vaunn Medical. It adds a 4’’ extra height to the standard toilet seat. The handles allow you to sit and get up from the seat easily. It can be helpful for seniors with limited mobility. Pregnant women can also use this seat.
The seat can be attached to the stand commode with the help of push pins and a locking mechanism to secure it safely. It also has an anti-slip surface. The seat weighs less than 5 lbs and is easy to store and transport when required.
It is built using heavy-duty molded premium plastic which is germ-resistant. It makes the chair durable to withstand daily use. The seat is easy to clean and fits standard, round, elevated, and compact toilets. It can handle a weight of up to 250 lbs.
Experience
The seat has a majority of positive reviews due to its robust design. A few customers complained about the seat size. Although it is a wide seat, some people didn’t find it comfortable.
Pros
- Adds 5’’ of extra height
- Has a wide and contoured design
- Has an E-Z locking mechanism
- Durable and germ-resistant
- Easy to install
- Can bear up to 250 lbs of weight
Cons
- Can be small for some individuals
Verdict
This is a sturdy toilet seat that will make it easier to use the toilet for the elderly. It is easy to install and is germ-resistant. This makes it hygienic and suitable for seniors.
#5. Carex 3.5 Inch Raised Toilet Seat with Arms(Portable Seat Riser)
This elevated toilet seat adds 3.5 inches extra height to the toilet seat. The support handles are padded to give you a good grip. They are also removable if you don’t want to use them. It can be used by the elderly, disabled, or individuals who have had surgery.
The seat combines both safety and functionality as it uses heavy-duty, lightweight, and easy to clean molded plastic. This makes the seat portable to be transported if required. You can easily travel with it or store it as well. It can be wiped with the standard disinfects.
It is easy to install without any extra help. However, you may need a screwdriver to put all the parts together. It comes with an instruction manual to help you with the installation. It can handle up to 250 lbs of weight.
Experience
A customer bought this seat for his parents who live in Assisted living. The lower toilet seats weren’t working for them. The seat lasted for around 3 years but had to be replaced due to a cracking issue. Overall, the seat functions well while it lasts.
Pros
- Adds 3.5 inches to the seat height
- Comes with padded and removable handles
- Can handle up to 250 lbs weight
- Easy to clean
- Portable
Cons
- Not suitable for individuals with a wide hip
Verdict
This Carex toilet seat is a safe and sturdy product for seniors. It is easy to clean and even portable to be transported easily. Also, it is an affordable option for those who want a decent toilet seat on a budget.
Buying Guide
Here are a few things you should keep in mind before buying a toilet seat:
Size and Dimensions:
Measure the dimensions of your toilet before ordering the seat riser. There are two types of seats- standard (16.5’’) and elongated (18.5’’). Make sure the riser fits accurately on the toilet seat.
Installation
The majority of the seats are easy to install. But a few need an extra set of nuts and screws to be fixed. If you are a senior who lives alone, try to purchase a seat that needs minimum effort in installation.
Portability
Go for a lightweight toilet seat made up of durable plastic. This will make it easier for you to move the toilet seat whenever required.
Weight Capacity
Make sure the seat you buy can handle your weight. Most seats have a weight capacity of 250-300 lbs. You can check the product description for this information.
Seat Design
There are two types of seat design- contoured or flat. Figure out what is the most comfortable one for you and will be compatible with your existing toilet seat. Also, opt for a toilet seat riser with arms for added support.
Conclusion
Our top pick is the Vive Elongated Raised Toilet Seat. It is a spacious seat with sturdy built adding a considerable 3.5 inches to the existing seat. Vive has decently priced this product that is beneficial for the elderly and individuals who have had recent surgeries.
If you prefer a budget option, you can go for the Vaunn Medical Elevated Raised Toilet Seat. It fits all types of toilet seats and is comfortable for the user.
